Camouflaging, Masking, and Compensation Strategies in Autism, ADHD, and other Neurodevelopmental Conditions

In recent years, research into camouflaging in autism, i.e., masking or compensating for autistic traits to appear neurotypical, has gained momentum. Empirical studies have provided insights into the nature of the phenomenon and its potential consequences for functioning and mental health. Lived-experience accounts suggest that camouflaging may, in certain contexts, support social participation and employment. However, autistic individuals also report significant costs, including energy depletion, burnout, identity confusion, and reduced access to support. These experiences are increasingly supported by quantitative data, although the current evidence base remains largely correlational. Additional research, employing diverse methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative, cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, are required to deepen our understanding of camouflaging and its impacts.

While camouflaging research in autism is advancing, our understanding of similar phenomena in other neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) – such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental language disorder (DLD), and intellectual disability – remains comparatively sparse. Emerging evidence indicates that camouflaging is not unique to autism but occurs also in other NDCs. However, in both autistic and broader NDC populations, our understanding of the predictors, strategies, and consequences of camouflaging is still limited. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to address the need for further investigations into the topic. The Topic Editors welcome research that delineates camouflaging in the broader NDC population.

Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to, the following:

camouflaging across NDC populations:
• similarities and differences in camouflaging strategies across autism and other NDCs
• impact of co-occurring conditions (e.g., autism and ADHD) on camouflaging
• camouflaging across the range of intellectual ability

measurement and assessment:
• novel approaches to assessing camouflaging in NDCs
• comparing self/informant-report and discrepancy-based methods
• application of discrepancy approaches to NDCs beyond autism

predictors, mechanisms, and outcomes:
• socio-emotional and cognitive mechanisms (e.g., executive functions, emotion regulation, theory of mind) that may underlie camouflaging
• circumstances in which camouflaging supports adaptive (e.g., social participation) vs. maladaptive outcomes (e.g., exhaustion, identity conflict)
• links between camouflaging and mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, burnout)
• longitudinal studies on predictors and effects of camouflaging

sex, gender, and cultural influences:
• sex/gender differences in camouflaging within NDC populations
• cultural and gendered expressions of camouflaging
• camouflaging in the intersection of NDCs and gender diversity

clinical implications:
• influence of camouflaging on diagnostic assessments and access to support
• integrating camouflaging awareness into clinical practice (e.g., diagnostic assessment, treatment, psychoeducation).

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: camouflaging, masking, compensation, impression management, neurodevelopmental conditions, autism, ADHD, developmental language disorder, intellectual disability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.